Gent-Maccabi Haifa is a match valid for the return leg of the Conference League round of 16 play-offs and is played Wednesday at 6 p.m.: TV, probable formations, predictions.
A goal by Haitian striker Frantzdy Pierrot on Thursday gave the Israelis of Maccabi Haifa (1-0) a small lead in the first leg playoff against Gent, staged on a neutral field in Budapest, Hungary. The Belgians, on the whole, played better than Messay Dego’s men, going so far as to create many more goal-scoring chances but were lacking in cynicism.
And now, in order to play in the round of 16 of a European competition for the third consecutive season, they will have to win by at least two goals difference at the Ghelamco Arena. Last week’s defeat to Maccabi Haifa is actually in perfect line with Gent’s performance since resuming play after the winter break. Hein van Haezebrouck’s team until last Sunday had cashed in almost only defeats – four in the first five official matches of 2024 – drawing exclusively with Westerlo. It broke the fast three days ago against Eupen, beaten 2-0 away thanks to goals from Hong and Samoise. Success that allowed Gent to return to fifth place in the standings, although the summit occupied by Union Saint-Gilloise remains 20 points away.
Maccabi Haifa, on the other hand, slowed down in Israel’s top league, stopped at home by Haifa’s other team, Hapoel (1-1), but still remaining ahead of everyone albeit on equal points with historic rivals Maccabi Tel Aviv, both paired on 49 points. The green-and-whites, who dream of becoming Israeli champions for the fourth year in a row, have never played in a European round of 16 in their history.
The prediction
Gent are undefeated in their last ten home matches played in the Conference League, while Maccabi Haifa have had two positive results in their last two European away matches, including one against Villarreal in the group stage. Another hard-fought match looms, with a script very similar to that of the first leg. The Belgians will attack hard in an attempt to come back, while the Israelis will simply defend the lead. Another contest in which the total goals will be less than three cannot be ruled out.
The likely lineups for Gent-Maccabi Haifa
GENT (3-4-1-2): Roef; Kandouss, Watanabe, Mitrovic; Samoise, De Sart, Gerkens, Brown; Hong; Tissoudali, Depoitre.
MACCABI HAIFA (4-4-1-1): Kaiuf; Feingold, Goldberg, Seck, Cornud; Kandil, Mohamed, Show, Lesovoy; Kinda; Pierrot.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-0